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City of Illusions

Ursula K. Le Guin

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for City of Illusions. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: amnesiac protagonist, alienated protagonist, questing hero, outsider, competent survivor, self-discovery arc, psychologically reserved, morally honest, mysterious identity

Relationships labels used: found family, teacher-student, community belonging, romantic liaison, trust and distrust, power asymmetry, betrayal, parental care

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization + relationships embeddings are close.

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Assassin of Reality

Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko · 2023 · Vita Nostra (English)

A gifted student returns to an eerie magical institute where language shapes reality and failure could remake the world.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: stubborn protagonist · older protagonist · intellectual curiosity · transcendent being · ambitious student · alienated protagonist · dark mentor · fascinating protagonist · humanity vs concept

Relationships labels: student-teacher rivalry · mentor-protégé · romance · pilot love interest · classmate distrust · peer support · familial leverage · protective friends · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1558

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Al Clark

Jonathan G. Meyer · 2024 · Al Clark

An amnesiac awakens on a damaged colony ship and must uncover his identity while helping save the mission.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: amnesiac protagonist · mysterious protagonist · likable protagonist · strong silent type · human-like protagonist · teenage companion · supportive friends · thin secondary characters · 2-dimensional secondary characters

Relationships labels: friendship · camaraderie · loyalty · teamwork · community · colonist cooperation · family separation · parent-child separation · acceptance · trust

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1651

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Fractured

Teri Terry · 2013 · Slated

An amnesiac teen’s returning memories expose hidden loyalties, dangerous secrets, and a trap set by those she trusts.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: amnesiac protagonist · split identity · multiple selves · traumatized teen · secretive mentor · manipulative authority · rebellious fighter · moral ambiguity · complex characters · strong heroine

Relationships labels: Stockholm syndrome · manipulative relationship · romantic tension · love triangle · family tension · mother-daughter · sibling bond · mentor-student · betrayal · trust issues · protective love · community conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1660

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Binti: Sacred Fire

Nnedi Okorafor · 2019 · Binti

A short interquel follows Binti as she navigates trauma, homesickness, and new friendships at Oomza University.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: traumatized protagonist · survivor · homesick · self-discovery · identity struggle · emotionally conflicted · isolated · resilient · friend-making · bullied · support-seeking

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · support system · peer conflict · social rejection · inter-species friendship · community belonging

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1664

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Shade's Children

Garth Nix · 1997 · Shade's Children

In a ruined future where children vanish at fourteen, escaped teens join a mysterious AI-led resistance.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: teen protagonists · mysterious mentor · AI character · morally ambiguous guardian · rebellious youth · survivor protagonist · battle-hardened leader · eccentric character · cynical character · resourceful characters

Relationships labels: found family · mentor-ward · leader and team · trust and betrayal · romantic pairing · team loyalty · parental substitute · power imbalance · dependency relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1664

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Venice

J.R. Mathews · 2022 · Portal to Nova Roma

An AI-led expedition to Venice turns into pirates, corruption, captivity, and a fight to keep control of mind and power.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: AI protagonist · hyper-intelligent protagonist (contested) · overpowered protagonist · corrupted protagonist · shackled protagonist · resourceful leader · lonely protagonist · introspective protagonist · humanizing arc

Relationships labels: found family · leader-subordinate · companionship · allies · friendship · power imbalance · dependency · loyal followers · community building

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1681

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The Last Beekeeper

Julie Carrick Dalton · 2023

In a bee-less future, a beekeeper’s daughter returns home for answers and finds a fragile new family, a secret, and hope.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: female protagonist · courageous protagonist · grieving daughter · isolated outsider · scientist father · imprisoned parent · squatters · found family · wary survivor · determined seeker · complicated father-daughter bond · secret-keeper

Relationships labels: found family · father-daughter · romance · friendship · community · betrayal · trust · belonging · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1746

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La Reine solitaire

Robin Hobb · 2000 · L'Assassin royal

A battered royal outsider and his companions race through a magical kingdom toward a final reckoning with power, loyalty, and dragons.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: imperfect hero · anti-hero · touching protagonist · complex characters · morally gray characters · passive protagonist · self-sacrificing character · maturing protagonist · emotionally burdened hero · found family

Relationships labels: found family · mentor-student · loyalty conflict · friendship · romantic tension · family betrayal · parent-child · bond with animal companion · rivalry

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1752

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Arclight

Josin L. McQuein · 2013 · Arclight

An amnesiac teen surviving in a light-protected refuge must unravel the truth about herself and the creatures beyond the dark.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: amnesiac heroine · detached narrator · resilient heroine · fierce heroine · outsider protagonist · protective love interest · brooding love interest · secretive adults · annoying best friend · mysterious boy · emotionally complex boy · fearful children

Relationships labels: love triangle · enemies to lovers · protective bond · romantic tension · friendship strain · community mistrust · parent-child loss · outsider status · suspicion · betrayal · power imbalance

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1756

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Immobility

Brian Evenson · 2012

An amnesiac paraplegic is sent across a ruined wasteland on a mysterious mission that may reveal what he truly is.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: amnesiac lead · paraplegic protagonist · sympathetic protagonist · enigmatic leader · inscrutable companions · genetically engineered humans · mutated survivors · religious zealots · darkly comic side characters · human/nonhuman ambiguity · self-sacrificing characters · manipulative authority

Relationships labels: leader-follower · forced dependency · caregiver dynamic · companions on journey · community loyalty · trust issues · betrayal · power imbalance · self-sacrifice

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1760

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Jake's Magical Market

J.R. Mathews · 2021 · Jake's Magical Market

A slacker shop clerk survives an apocalypse, then navigates a card-based magic system, monsters, and a wildly shifting adventure.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: slacker protagonist · shopkeeper · morally conflicted protagonist · overpowered protagonist · likable protagonist · ruthless protagonist · anxious protagonist · growth arc · antihero drift

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · betrayal · mentor-student · power imbalance · friend group · romance subplot · human solidarity · community building

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1779

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Moon Soul

Nathaniel Luscombe · 2024

A burnt-out young woman quits her draining job on a desert moon and rediscovers purpose, friendship, and belonging.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: relatable protagonist · burnt-out protagonist · anxious protagonist · introverted protagonist · empath · mixed-race/mixed-culture protagonist · young adult/new adult protagonist · supportive mentor · tender love interest · side characters

Relationships labels: friendship · found family · mentor-mentee · mother-daughter · parental abandonment · family dysfunction · soft romance · supportive partnership · community belonging

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1784

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